On average, one million gallons of wastewater per day is treated at Clinton’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. The staff of five also maintains 14 pump stations and 73 miles of sewer lines.
According to Dan Scherer, Superintendent of Clinton’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, they are also in the process of replacing old and outdated pumping systems, valves and actuators. An actuator is a device that sends a control signal to a motorized gearbox, which operates a valve to change the flow of a liquid.
“We have replaced old and outdated pumps at one of our major pumping stations,” Scherer said. “Some of it is 21-plus years old.”
Scherer said replacing old equipment is part of a 5-year capital plan. The cost of the upgrade: $2 million-plus.
But Scherer, who has 35 years experience in waste-water management, is optimistic about Clinton’s chances to receive a $1.7 million grant from the American Rescue Plan Act. Clinton’s application, made through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, is one of 1,000, he heard, but he thinks the city’s application will receive a good rating based on the criteria, providing a precise description of the estimated costs, the benefits of the project and plans to implement it.
“The improvements will operate more efficiently, saving electrical costs,” Scherer said. “Our project is shovel ready.”
The city of Clinton contracts with Alliance Water Resources to operate the city’s waste-water treatment plant, which serves 4,500 local residents. Dan formerly worked for Alliance in Kimberling City, MO, on Table Rock Lake, and most recently in Nevada, MO. He was also managing director of the wastewater treatment facility for the city of O’Fallon, MO.
